A 23-year-old man from Marsa has been remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to raping a young girl.

Before Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, Catriel Scicluna was charged with rape and engaging in sexual activities with a minor.

Police inspector Paula Ciantar, prosecuting, told the court that on Friday the 14-year-old girl told a school councilor about the alleged abuse, which started when she was just seven years old.

The child protection unit was alerted to the case.

The girl, who has not yet given a formal statement, claimed that the accused had tried to rape her when she was ten years old.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri, appearing for Scicluna, said her client should be granted bail, arguing that the case was based entirely on the girl’s allegations.

The prosecution objected, pointing out that these were very serious charges and adding that the alleged victim “sounded genuine.” The court was also told that there was a risk that the accused would approach the girl.

The request for bail was turned down.